Silence In Numbers: File One (18 page)

Katsumi jerked her arm and snapped the man’s neck, releasing him and letting his lifeless body crumple to the ground. She immediately spat on the ground several times, coughing and rubbing her mouth with her arm. “Fuck… Fucking pig… I will never be able to rinse enough.” She shuddered, suppressing the urge to vomit by kicking his corpse. She then picked him up and headed for the door, opening it and flinging the body out. All she needed was for the eyes of the men on either side of the door to follow the body, which they did, curses of surprise forming on their lips. They would be simple; it was the two men further down the hall, outside of melee range, that would be trouble.

Katsumi went for the guard immediately to her right, shoving her arm into his neck and slamming him back into the wall, crushing his windpipe. She ripped the gun out of his hand and ducked as the man directly behind her fired, turning and kicking upwards with her left foot, disarming the second guard. She set her left foot down, stood and spun, her right foot kicking the man into the wall. As he bounced off of it from the impact she slid behind him and caught his shirt, holding him in front of her as the guards down the hallway opened fire. The man’s body took most of the bullets as she put her right arm over his shoulder, returning fire and taking out one of the guards.

She felt a bullet hit her stomach and grunted, focusing and shooting down the last guy. She threw the body away from her, leaning back against the wall and feeling her stomach. The bullet was still in her, she could tell, but she’d be alright. Her abnormally high CP meant it wouldn’t get infected, so as long as she could stand the pain – and didn’t bleed out – fixing it could wait. Right now Katsumi had more important things to do.
I’m back, Ayane.

Oh, thank God…
The relief in Ayane’s voice was palpable.
What happened?

Captured, some electrocution, had to kiss the most disgusting mouth I’ve ever touched, got shot but it’s not bad.

Oh my God… You’re supposed to be being careful!

I am being careful.

Well you’re terrible at it!
Katsumi heard a sob through the link and it pained her. She stopped and leaned against the wall for a moment.

Ayane, listen to me. I’m fine. If I was in real trouble I’d go back, but I’m not. And you know I can’t go back, not now.

After that boy…

Yes. I can’t let someone like this get away.

No, of course not, I just…

I’ll stay in contact with you now. I need you to focus me and you need reassurance. Besides… it’ll be like old times.

Really? I’d appreciate that… Okay, but if you black out on me again I’m coming down there myself.

Katsumi smiled.
I expected no less.
She picked up a new gun and readied it, intent on finding hers, as well as information on her target, before leaving this place.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Jesus.” Rufus stepped over another corpse, avoiding the blood pooled around it. “I guess I was worried for nothing.”

Law shook his head as they entered the last room. There was a dead man in a nice suit in the middle near the wreckage of a chair which he pointed at. “Not for nothing. Torture chair right there.” He walked over and held up the torn wires. “Electrocution.”

Rufus sighed, rubbing his eyes. “Lucky for these guys they’re dead already. Looks like we were slow on this one, Law.”

“I agree. If she hadn’t been able to escape on her own, by now we’d find barely anything left.”

“We have to do better, then.” Rufus turned and headed for the door.

Law nodded and followed him. “We can’t leave her alone on this. We’re a team, it’s not right.”

“Maybe you should’ve told her that.”

“She wouldn’t have listened. She’s just going on instinct right now.”

“Trust me, I understand. I just wish she wasn’t. This bastard she’s after isn’t worth losing her, it’s simple math; she’s worth more than his death is. If I’d known this was what she was going to do I’d have gone with her.” Rufus looked back at Sam. “I’m not trying to retrieve her, Law. I’m just trying to catch up to her so our kill counts remain competitive.”

Law smiled. “Now that is a thought she’d appreciate.”

“She and I are more similar than most people realize.” Rufus stopped outside the door of the room, looking down. “Hold up.”

“See a sign of her?”

“Unfortunately…” Rufus knelt, gesturing for Law to investigate with him. He pointed to a small patch of blood and fluid on the wall and floor. “Unless one of these guys has a CP over fifty.”

“Doubtful.” Law shook his head. “Looks like she got hit.”

“Think it was bad?”

“I only know it’s not bad enough to drop her or we’d have found her, and it’s not bad enough for her to call this off.”

“That’s something, then. Still… Feels like we should speed up a bit.”

“I’m with you.” Law stood and started down the hallway. “None of us ever did know when to back off.”

“At least we’re dealing with humans for this. If she was going after a Class A supernatural target or something alone, we’d be in a lot more trouble.”

“Don’t give her ideas.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Reno set the chopper down with a sigh, turning everything off and exiting it with no joviality. Everything was grey right now; even the skies reflected that, overcast and dreary as a light drizzle cast a depressing pall over the city.  Weather was fascinating in the way it sometimes matched the mood, Reno thought. It was April 1st – April Fool’s Day – usually one of Reno’s favorite days of the year, but not this year. No one was joking, no one felt like joking and no one had anything to joke about.

Captain Sama had been missing for four days. Rufus had reported his and Law’s trail had gone cold, though they were still out looking. Reno himself was getting in a car to go home because he had nowhere else to look and nothing else to do. He’d been needed when the team was together, but now they were all split apart and he knew going his own separate way wouldn’t make anything worse. Sano was stressed out but being there wasn’t helping him at all. The problem wasn’t too many things to deal with; it was having nothing to do. Ironically, the one thing that always drove Captain Sama crazy was now being inflicted on all of them by her actions.

The drive home was as dreary as the rest of the day had been, and Reno was glad to finally get home. Lenora was waiting for him at the door and questioned him as he wiped the rain from his glasses. “Still no word about her?”

“None,” Reno shook his head. “No more leads or anything.”

Lenora’s expression saddened. “I’m sure she’s fine.”

“Probably. Everyone’s just unhappy with the ‘unsure’ part.”

Lenora sighed and closed the door. “I’m worried about her myself.”

“Didn’t you just say you’re sure she’s fine?”

“Well… It sounds like she took what happened really hard, right?”

“Yeah.”

“If she was doing fine emotionally she wouldn’t have run off on her own.” Lenora folded her arms. “This was obviously the last straw for her. You saw her when she was over here – this whole thing has been pushing her, and four days ago was the breaking point. I’m worried about her emotionally and physically, though I’m starting to understand how much she’d hate knowing that.” Lenora looked at Reno. “I had started to believe she and I could be friends. I’m hoping I’ll still get that chance.”

Reno hugged her. “You will. We’ll find her or she’ll finish her job and come back, one or the other.”

“I hope for her sake it’s the latter.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Your Captain has been causing quite a stir in the Underworld.”

“She’s on a warpath,” Sano sighed. He was leaning against a wall in ‘Room 3.5’ again, hands in his pockets and eyes on the mysterious man in the next room.

“She’s caused enough casualties.” Briggs hit a button and a panel slid open in Sano’s side of the room. “I’ve got something you’ll appreciate much more this time… a location.”

Sano stood up quickly. “What? The Director’s location?!”

“Jerne Kintashi’s location,” The man corrected. “Trying to be known by the alias ‘The Director’, which he’s hardly worthy of. I suggest you send that to Captain Samakura quickly so she finds him before he finds her.”

Sano ripped the paper out of the alcove. He once again wished Katsumi had her cyber link open but it’d been off since she’d disappeared, so he quickly entered everything he saw into his phone and sent it to Katsumi’s. He looked through the window at Briggs. “I need to go now, then. I guess now we’ll see if you’re really telling the truth.”

“I do suggest you hurry. And don’t forget our deal.”

“If you really just helped us catch this guy, I’ll do what I can to make it happen,” Sano nodded before rushing out of the room and contacting the rest of the team over the cyber link. “Guys? Get ready and get moving, we have a possible location for our target. I’ve already sent it to the Captain.”

Rufus’ voice jumped in. “That contact, Briggs, really came through, didn’t he?”

“I guess we’re about to see if he did,” commented Law.

“Hey, how about we all rush out there and see for ourselves instead of debating?” Reno interjected.

“Get the chopper and let’s go, then. I think we’re on a time crunch because, if I know anything about her at all, Captain Sama’s already on her way.”

Jerne Kintashi was scared.

More than that, he was terrified.

His door shuddered again under another powerful impact and he recognized the voice of the person on the other side… the voice of someone he’d only imagined meeting in his moment of victory, standing over her bleeding form as he explained to her his brilliance and how he had beaten her. He’d imagined telling her all her mistakes and relishing the fear and awe in her eyes as she realized how outmatched she was. He’d imagined her begging for her life as he held it in his hands like a god.

He’d never imagined her tearing his apartment door from its hinges as she was doing now. He’d never imagined her walking into his room with a fury that made his blood run cold and robbed him of the ability to do anything but scramble backwards. He’d certainly never imagined the whimpers that escaped his own lips as her powerful hand gripped his shirt, lifted him bodily off the ground and hurled him across the room into one of his bookcases, shattering the furniture and scattering books onto the floor around him.

Katsumi Samakura was in his home, and he could do nothing about it. Suddenly he felt the same hopelessness he’d wished on his enemies. She leapt over his couch and landed beside him, picking him up again and slamming him into a wall, causing him to cry out in pain. She leaned in, growling out her words like a feral beast who was struggling to prevent herself from tearing him apart. “Why, Kintashi? I want to know why. I want to know the reasons for your actions.”

“F-fear…” Answering her questions was completely involuntary by that point. Jerne, despite his previous beliefs, wasn’t a hardened criminal. He’d thought himself invincible. “I wanted you… everyone… to fear me.”

Katsumi stopped breathing, staring at him. “…That’s it…?”

Anger rose through Kintashi finally, anger at his failure, at the way this woman broke in and acted like he wasn’t a threat of any kind, wasn’t someone worthy of respect. He yelled back in her face, “I am no simple criminal! I am greater than ordinary men! They are nothing but tools! I will reign-“ He was cut off by a vicious punch to his stomach that robbed him of all ability to breathe.

Katsumi threw him to the ground, rage overwhelming every other emotion. “That’s it? THAT’S IT?! All of that… all those deaths… for nothing?!” She kicked him hard enough to send him into the wall, cracking it. He coughed up blood but she didn’t care, stalking after him. “This was all just some stupid little game to you?! What about those people you killed?! What about the lives you ruined?!” He tried to sit up and the back of her hand caught his face so hard his head hit the floor. “What about that mother and son?!”

She fell to her knees and slammed her fist into his face, tears now running down her cheeks. “All of that and you DARE tell me you don’t care?! You fucking…” She slammed her fist into his face again. “Piece of…” Another punch. Blood spattered her face and clothes. “SHIT!”

After that the blows rained down, harder and faster with every punch. Blood coated the floor, the wall, and her, and still she didn’t stop. By the time she finally finished her violet bangs were spotted with red, as were her arms, face and the front of her clothing. She wiped her eyes on her arm, looking down. There was no longer any head; Katsumi’s full-strength blows were able to shatter concrete - a human skull had no chance. And what was worse – what made a little part of Katsumi wonder what her life had turned her into – was that she couldn’t find any part of her that cared.

Katsumi stood and screamed, slamming her fist into the wall and punching a hole in it. She smashed another one before stumbling back and running her fingers through her hair, realizing she was shaking again. All her rage had boiled over to the point where she’d beaten a man to death and still she was filled with it. The job was over, the attacks were over, and still rage flowed through her body and mind unchecked. With no one to unleash it on it turned on the only target available: herself.

Katsumi Samakura stalked out of the apartment and headed for the roof.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I got him…

Ayane breathed a deep sigh of relief at the words.
Thank God… What about you?

I’m… not alright. Still angry… Still enraged. I beat him to death and it still isn’t enough.

You’re losing yourself, Sumi
, Ayane said in a worried tone. Her sister sounded odd and it was something she’d heard before; something she didn’t like.
I love my sister and I don’t want to lose her to that rage, that other person, again. Remember that!

I’m trying, but I… I failed so many things on this case…

Hey, no one is better at doing what you do than you are. No one. The city needs you to be its protector.

There are others who would be better.

Not for your friends
, Ayane argued.
Not for me. If it wasn’t for you I’d be dead. And if it wasn’t for your actions today more people would be dead later on. Don’t hate yourself, Sumi, there’s too much to like.

I know… You’re right… I just feel so worn down right now… so beaten. I won but it feels like I lost.

That’s what it means to care. Come see me later, okay? Promise you’ll come see me.

I promise, Ayane.

Then hold on until then. Talk to someone if you can… being alone is the worst thing for you right now.

Katsumi went silent and Ayane looked out the window worriedly, thinking about the things her sister was going through and wishing she could be there herself.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sano, Rufus and Law moved slowly down the hallway towards the room they suspected was home to Jerne Kintashi, the terrorist they’d all been hunting for the past two weeks. Reno was in the chopper outside, watching for anyone trying to escape. They still didn’t know where Katsumi was but all of them hoped they’d meet her here.

Sano edged up to the doorway, looking back. “Door’s gone.”

“Guess she’s been here already,” Law said in an even tone.

“One way to find out.” Rufus stepped around Sano and spun to face into the room, pistol ready. He lowered the weapon immediately and looked at the other two. “Looks like you’re right, Law.”

Sano stood straight and looked around the doorjamb into the room. The apartment was an utter mess; furniture was broken, books and other items were scattered everywhere, and there were some spots of heavy damage on the walls. He stepped further into the room and noticed the body. “Either Captain Sama was here or Kintashi decided to use his own methods on his own head…”

Rufus and Law entered to look around as well. Rufus moved towards the body, looking it over. “Lots of blood… On the floor, walls, little bit on the ceiling… couple of bloody footprints I think are her size…”

“Wasn’t an explosive, though,” Law said as he tapped the wall beside one of the holes. “A fist did this.” He pointed at the headless body. “And that.”

“Guess we never intended to take him alive,” Sano muttered.

“I think that went out the window about a week ago,” replied Rufus. “You can’t tell me you’re surprised by this scene.”

“Not surprised.” He looked around, speaking to Reno over their cyber link, “Reno, we found Kintashi… or what’s left of him. Captain Sama’s not in here though. Do a sweep of the area for her.”

“Got it.”

Rufus turned on the computer to see if he could find any useful information while Law began searching the room for evidence of what Jerne had used for his explosions. Not a minute later Reno contacted Kurasano again. “Sano, you’re not gonna believe this, but I found her.”

“Already? Where?” Rufus and Law looked at him, waiting for answers.

“Above you. On the roof.”

“You’re kidding… Alright, I’m heading up there.” Sano looked at the other two. “She’s on the roof. I’m gonna go up there while you guys finish up in here.”

After they nodded Sano headed for the stairs, taking them two at a time until he came out on the roof. The sky was tinted a light purple as the sunrise began, allowing him to see Katsumi sitting on the edge of the roof. Wind bit through him given how high up they were, and Sano wondered just how long she’d been up here. He walked forward cautiously, having no idea what kind of reaction he’d get.

“Captain Sama?”

She looked back at him. Whatever he’d been expecting, it wasn’t tear-stained cheeks. He was shocked into silence, able only to stare. To his even greater surprise she didn’t even seem ashamed of it or angry that he saw her that way. She just looked back at the sunrise. Sano’s hands dropped to his sides as he tried to think of something to say. He took a few steps forward. “Katsumi…?”

“The city’s still intact…” Katsumi’s voice was quiet.

“Yeah… Nothing’s happened since you disappeared. Why are you up here?”

“I just… needed to think.”

“Alright.” Sano moved up, carefully sitting on the edge of the roof beside her, watching for any sign he needed to back off. She didn’t react to him at all so he assumed it was okay. “What are you thinking about?”

“I don’t have the best record…” Katsumi looked down at the street below. “I was a lot better at killing people than I am at protecting them.”

“Killing people?” Sano looked at her, curious at her choice of words.

“That’s what I used to do,” Katsumi answered quietly. “That was all I did. I was never asked to protect. Lately…” She sighed. “Lately I’ve been wondering if I should’ve just stuck with that…”

“That’s ridiculous. You’re meant to be a protector.”

“I’m no good at it, Sano.” She looked at him sadly. His immediate argument died on his lips as he saw it wasn’t just self-hate; Katsumi truly believed what she was saying. “I’m not a protector. I try to be one but really I’m more of an… avenger. I can’t stop people dying; I can only kill the person that did it after they’re already dead.”

“That’s just bullshit,” Sano shook his head, “You’ve protected plenty of people. You saved Reno’s life.”

“Saved him from my own mistake,” Katsumi muttered.

“You saved those people on the train,” Sano said louder, trying to argue her down. “You saved anyone this guy was going after next. You’ve saved all our lives at some point or another. Hell, your simple existence protects so many people in this city.”

“I want to believe you,” Katsumi said softly as she looked down. “I don’t know how much longer I can do this, though.”

“You’re the toughest person I’ve ever met. Since when did you become weak?”

He’d expected an angry reaction, which was why he’d said it. He didn’t expect her to simply smile. “I’ve always been weak. I just don’t show it. And I’ve been doing this for longer than a few years, Sano.”

“Doing what?”

“All of this.” Katsumi looked up. “All the killing and death and loss. I’ve been doing it since I was twelve.”

Sano blinked. “Twelve? You… what?”

Katsumi shook her head. “Maybe another time… My point is… I feel worn down. I feel old even though I’m only thirty-four. I lost my control, what kind of sign is that?”

“You were angry…”

“I abandoned my position and duties because of personal emotions. I almost abandoned them entirely.”

“You were going to quit?!”

Katsumi smiled sadly at him. “I thought about it.” She looked back down at the street. “For a moment…” Katsumi shook her head. “I didn’t know what to do… I don’t know… Everything’s suddenly harder and I don’t…”

Kurasano looked down and sighed. This was so different from the Katsumi he knew that he felt lost himself. Suddenly she wasn’t his boss or the Captain or the tough commander everyone feared to anger; she was just a woman. He was suddenly angry at himself for having thought her invincible all this time, even though he knew that’s how she wanted it. What was worse was that he knew she’d look back on this moment and hate it even though she needed it.

She really was self-defeating; it was surprising he hadn’t seen her break before now, and he was starting to wonder when she would again. Katsumi was quiet now. She cleared her throat once and Sano could tell she was a little more normal by the blush on her cheeks; he could tell she was embarrassed so he decided to cut it off quickly before it led to anger at herself. “We’re friends, Katsumi.” He met her gaze. “I couldn’t admire you more for this.”

“Admire?” She cocked her head to the side a bit, curious. “For childish-“

“Bullshit,” he cut her off. “After all you’ve dealt with you’re still doing it and you still care. Most people either have to stop caring at some point, or stop doing it because they’re not strong enough. That’s why you’re the strongest. You’re still able to care about every death and yet you keep going despite every death weighing on you. This city’s lucky it has you as a protector because no one else would be able to do it the same way.”